Fear of knee replacement

Amelie

I have had knee arthritis for some years , not agony but painful when I walk. GP referred me for physio which I have done half heartedly, and I've had 2 injections which didn't help much. An x ray showed reduction in cartilage in right knee. I asked to be referred to a specialist and saw a consultant. He said I could carry on with physio and injections or have knee replacement. I asked for his opinion about what I should do. He said he could not not advise me, it was up to me. Eventually I asked to be put on his list, as I thought I might have to wait ages. (He is private consultant but NHS would be paying).But now I am booked on for an op in 5 weeks time and I am in an agony of indecision about whether to go ahead. I am not in agony, knee is not very painful, but everyone I talk to including my partner, says I should go ahead as knee will only getworse and I might have to wait years again. I cannot think about anything else and am crying myself to sleep most nights with the worry. I am 71

claudsl

Hi @Amelie and welcome to our friendly online community. It's lovely to have you here :)

I can see why you are nervous, it's only natural to be apprehensive about things like this. My dad is 59 and he had a knee replacement 2 months ago. He is recovering well and everything is healing well. He was also nervous but he has seen an improvement already and is glad he decided to get it done. He's on a waiting list to get his other one done now too.

Here's an article with more information on knee replacement surgery.

Knee replacement surgery | Treatment options | Versus Arthritis

I hope I have reassured you a little bit at least and hopefully other members who have had the surgery will join in and share their experience.

If you are feeling low and need to chat to someone, our helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am-6pm. Their number is 0800 5200 520. It might help to talk to someone and our helpline staff are great.

All the best. Claudia x

Bryony

You say that it is painful to walk. Has it reduced substantially the amount of exercise you get, or is it causing limitations to your hobbies, or doing your necessary chores? Is it getting you down? Does the pain interfere with your sleeping? If any of those are yes then it may be time for knee replacement.

If you think you are still enjoying a reasonable quality of life, and are not greatly troubled by it, then maybe it is too soon. Has it got noticeably worse quite quickly or been very gradually worsening?

What are your main fears about the surgery? The potential outcome, or the surgery itself? It isn't without risk, and some do experience continued pain afterwards. However it is a surgery with a good safety record and though with a lower satisfaction rate than hip replacement (a much simpler joint and very high satisfaction rate) it does have a very good satisfaction rate.

Has the consultant suggested a total knee replacement or partial knee replacement, or even discussed this? In parts of the country many surgeons are not trained in partial knee surgery, and although people may be suitable for them (approx 50% of those with severe OA have the OA confined to one compartment, usually the medial compartment, and are suitable), they are not offered them. Where a partial knee replacement is suitable then recovery is generally a bit quicker, and fewer have significant residual pain after surgery - 10% compared with 20%, and the knee feels more natural. There is a slightly higher risk of needing revision surgery if other parts of the knee go on to get OA. You can check online on the National Joint Registry if your surgeon does do partial as well as total knee replacements.

If you really don't feel ready for it, don't be pushed into it. It will get worse over time, but it may just be very gradual worsening. Recovery will be quicker if you are in good health, and your muscles and ligaments healthy, and as we get older we don't know what is around the corner.

So there are so many things to weigh up, and it can be overwhelming. Try to work through your concerns during the day, when you are feeling emotionally stronger, but maybe in the afternoon when your knees have been used a bit! At night things feel much more complicated. It is normal to feel anxious about surgery, and wonder if it is the right thing.

If you do decide to go for it, then you've got 5 weeks to do physio exercises to strengthen your muscles and go in with your best level of flexibility. That will make recovery quicker and easier.

I'm on the NHS waiting list for both knees to be replaced - bone on bone in each for at least 3 years. I'm getting partial knee replacements. The first will probably be September, the second 3 months later. Although I'm pretty desperate for them, this timing suits me better than if the first was done now! It would write off most of the summer, and as a botanist and gardener, I would be very frustrated watching my garden going even more wild, and being stuck at home, whereas by autumn things are quietening down outdoors so time to recover.